U.S. patent application number 11/949182 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for lighting device and lighting method.
This patent application is currently assigned to LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerald H. NEGLEY.
Application Number | 20080130281 11/949182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39315383 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080130281 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEGLEY; Gerald H. |
June 5, 2008 |
LIGHTING DEVICE AND LIGHTING METHOD
Abstract
A lighting device which comprises at least a first solid state
lighting device; and at least a first patterned diffuser which
comprises a plurality of optical features. If the first solid state
lighting device is illuminated, at least some of the light emitted
by the first solid state lighting device enters the first patterned
diffuser and exits the patterned diffuser. In some embodiments, the
patterned diffuser emits light in a specific shape (e.g.,
substantially square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal). In some
embodiments, optical features are positioned on the first surface
of the side of the first patterned diffuser that the emitted light
enters. Also, a method of lighting which comprises illuminating one
(or more) solid state lighting device which emits light which
enters a patterned diffuser which comprises a plurality of optical
features, and exits the patterned diffuser.
Inventors: |
NEGLEY; Gerald H.; (Durham,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURR & BROWN
PO BOX 7068
SYRACUSE
NY
13261-7068
US
|
Assignee: |
LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc.
Morrisville
NC
|
Family ID: |
39315383 |
Appl. No.: |
11/949182 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60868443 |
Dec 4, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/246 ;
362/310 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 5/00 20130101; F21Y
2115/10 20160801; F21K 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/246 ;
362/310 |
International
Class: |
F21V 5/00 20060101
F21V005/00; F21V 7/04 20060101 F21V007/04 |
Claims
1. A lighting device, comprising: at least a first solid state
lighting device; and at least a first patterned diffuser, said
first solid state lighting device being positioned relative to said
first patterned diffuser such that if said first solid state
lighting device is illuminated so that said first solid state
lighting device emits light, at least some of said light emitted by
said first solid state lighting device enters said first patterned
diffuser and exits said patterned diffuser, said patterned diffuser
comprising a plurality of optical features.
2. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said patterned
diffuser emits light in a substantially square shape.
3. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said patterned
diffuser emits light in a substantially rectangular shape.
4. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said patterned
diffuser emits light in a substantially hexagonal shape.
5. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting
device comprises a plurality of solid state lighting devices and a
plurality of patterned diffusers.
6. A lighting device as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality
of patterned diffusers comprises a plurality of patterned diffusers
which emit light in a substantially hexagonal shape.
7. A lighting device as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality
of patterned diffusers comprises a plurality of patterned diffusers
which emit light in a substantially octagonal shape and a plurality
of patterned diffusers which emit light in a substantially square
shape.
8. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said light
emitted by said first solid state lighting device enters said first
patterned diffuser through a first surface of said first patterned
diffuser and exits said first patterned diffuser through a second
surface of said first patterned diffuser.
9. A lighting device as recited in claim 8, wherein at least some
of said optical features are positioned on said first surface of
said first patterned diffuser.
10. A method of lighting, comprising: illuminating at least a first
solid state lighting device so that said first solid state lighting
device emits light, such that at least some of said light emitted
by said first solid state lighting device enters a patterned
diffuser and exits said patterned diffuser, said patterned diffuser
comprising a plurality of optical features.
11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said patterned
diffuser emits light in a hexagonal shape.
12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said lighting device
comprises a plurality of solid state lighting devices and a
plurality of patterned diffusers.
13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of
patterned diffusers comprises a plurality of patterned diffusers
which emit light in a substantially hexagonal shape.
14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of
patterned diffusers comprises a plurality of patterned diffusers
which emit light in a substantially octagonal shape and a plurality
of patterned diffusers which emit light in a substantially square
shape.
15. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said patterned
diffuser emits light in a substantially square shape.
16. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said patterned
diffuser emits light in a substantially rectangular shape.
17. A lighting device, comprising: at least a first solid state
lighting device; and at least a first optical element, said first
solid state lighting device being positioned relative to said first
optical element such that if said first solid state lighting device
is illuminated so that said first solid state lighting device emits
light, at least some of said light emitted by said first solid
state lighting device enters said first optical element through a
first surface of said first optical element and exits said optical
element through a second surface of said first optical element,
said optical element comprising a plurality of optical features, at
least some of said optical features being positioned on said first
surface of said first optical element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/868,443, filed Dec. 4, 2006, the entirety
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION(S)
[0002] The present inventive subject matter relates to a lighting
device, in particular to a lighting device which comprises at least
one solid state lighting device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(S)
[0003] A large proportion (some estimates are as high as
twenty-five percent) of the electricity generated in the United
States each year goes to lighting. Accordingly, there is an ongoing
need to provide lighting which is more energy-efficient. It is
well-known that incandescent light bulbs are very
energy-inefficient light sources--about ninety percent of the
electricity they consume is released as heat rather than light.
Fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent light
bulbs (by a factor of about 10) but are still less efficient than
solid state light emitters, such as light emitting diodes.
[0004] In addition, as compared to the normal lifetimes of solid
state light emitters, e.g., light emitting diodes, incandescent
light bulbs have relatively short lifetimes, i.e., typically about
750-1000 hours. In comparison, light emitting diodes have typical
lifetimes between 50,000 and 70,000 hours. Fluorescent bulbs have
longer lifetimes (e.g., 10,000-20,000 hours) than incandescent
lights, but provide less favorable color reproduction.
[0005] Another issue faced by conventional light fixtures is the
need to periodically replace the lighting devices (e.g., light
bulbs, etc.). Such issues are particularly pronounced where access
is difficult (e.g., vaulted ceilings, bridges, high buildings,
traffic tunnels) and/or where change-out costs are extremely high.
The typical lifetime of conventional fixtures is about 20 years,
corresponding to a light-producing device usage of at least about
44,000 hours (based on usage of 6 hours per day for 20 years).
Light-producing device lifetime is typically much shorter, thus
creating the need for periodic change-outs.
[0006] Accordingly, for these and other reasons, efforts have been
ongoing to develop ways by which solid state light emitters can be
used in place of incandescent lights, fluorescent lights and other
light-generating devices in a wide variety of applications. In
addition, where light emitting diodes (or other solid state light
emitters) are already being used, efforts are ongoing to provide
light emitting diodes (or other solid state light emitters) which
are improved, e.g., with respect to energy efficiency, color
rendering index (CRI Ra), contrast, efficacy (1 m/W), and/or
duration of service.
[0007] A variety of solid state light emitters are well-known. For
example, one type of solid state light emitter is a light emitting
diode.
[0008] Light emitting diodes are semiconductor devices that convert
electrical current into light. A wide variety of light emitting
diodes are used in increasingly diverse fields for an
ever-expanding range of purposes.
[0009] More specifically, light emitting diodes are semiconducting
devices that emit light (ultraviolet, visible, or infrared) when a
potential difference is applied across a p-n junction structure.
There are a number of well-known ways to make light emitting diodes
and many associated structures, and the present inventive subject
matter can employ any such devices. By way of example, Chapters
12-14 of Sze, Physics of Semiconductor Devices, (2d Ed. 1981) and
Chapter 7 of Sze, Modern Semiconductor Device Physics (1998)
describe a variety of photonic devices, including light emitting
diodes.
[0010] The expression "light emitting diode" is used herein to
refer to the basic semiconductor diode structure (i.e., the chip).
The commonly recognized and commercially available "LED" that is
sold (for example) in electronics stores typically represents a
"packaged" device made up of a number of parts. These packaged
devices typically include a semiconductor based light emitting
diode such as (but not limited to) those described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,918,487; 5,631,190; and 5,912,477; various wire connections,
and a package that encapsulates the light emitting diode.
[0011] As is well-known, a light emitting diode produces light by
exciting electrons across the band gap between a conduction band
and a valence band of a semiconductor active (light-emitting)
layer. The electron transition generates light at a wavelength that
depends on the band gap. Thus, the color of the light (wavelength)
emitted by a light emitting diode depends on the semiconductor
materials of the active layers of the light emitting diode.
[0012] Although the development of light emitting diodes has in
many ways revolutionized the lighting industry, some of the
characteristics of light emitting diodes have presented challenges,
some of which have not yet been fully met. For example, the
emission spectrum of any particular light emitting diode is
typically concentrated around a single wavelength (as dictated by
the light emitting diode's composition and structure), which is
desirable for some applications, but not desirable for others,
(e.g., for providing lighting, such an emission spectrum provides a
very low CRI Ra).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION(S)
[0013] According to a first aspect of the present inventive subject
matter, there is provided a lighting device which comprises at
least a first solid state lighting device and at least a first
patterned diffuser, in which the first solid state lighting device
is positioned relative to the first patterned diffuser such that if
the first solid state lighting device is illuminated so that the
first solid state lighting device emits light, at least some of the
light emitted by the first solid state lighting device enters the
first patterned diffuser and exits the patterned diffuser, the
patterned diffuser comprising a plurality of optical features.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the present inventive
subject matter, there is provided a method of lighting which
comprises illuminating at least a first solid state lighting device
so that the first solid state lighting device emits light, such
that at least some of the light emitted by the first solid state
lighting device enters a first patterned diffuser and exits the
patterned diffuser.
[0015] According to a third aspect of the present inventive subject
matter, there is provided a lighting device which comprises at
least a first solid state lighting device and at least a first
optical element, the first solid state lighting device being
positioned relative to the first optical element such that if the
first solid state lighting device is illuminated so that the first
solid state lighting device emits light, at least some of the light
emitted by the first solid state lighting device enters the first
optical element through a first surface of the first optical
element and exits the optical element through a second surface of
the first optical element, the optical element comprising a
plurality of optical features, at least some of the optical
features being positioned on the first surface of the first optical
element.
[0016] Persons of skill in the art are familiar with, and have
ready access to, a wide variety of patterned diffusers. Such
patterned diffusers are also sometimes referred to as "engineered
diffusers." Any desired patterned diffuser can be employed in the
lighting devices and methods of the present inventive subject
matter. Such patterned diffusers include optical features, such
that a substantial portion, e.g., at least 50%, at least 60%, at
least 70%, in some cases at least 80% or at least 90%, and in some
cases at least 95% or 99%, of the light which enters the patterned
diffuser exits the patterned diffuser within a pattern such that a
projected pattern (e.g., a square, a rectangle, a hexagon, an
octagon, etc.) of the emitted light would be produced (regardless
of the pattern of the light which enters the patterned diffuser) on
a structure having a flat surface positioned in the path of the
emitted light and substantially perpendicular to the path of at
least a portion (e.g., at least 50%, or 75%, or 90%) of the emitted
light.
[0017] Representative examples of such commercially available
patterned diffusers include those marketed by RPC Photonics.
[0018] In some embodiments of the present inventive subject matter,
the light emitted by the first solid state lighting device enters
the first patterned diffuser through a first surface of the first
patterned diffuser and exits the first patterned diffuser through a
second surface of the first patterned diffuser. In some such
embodiments, at least some of the optical features are positioned
on the first surface of the first patterned diffuser.
[0019] In some embodiments according to the present inventive
subject matter, the patterned diffuser emits light in a
substantially square shape.
[0020] In some embodiments according to the present inventive
subject matter, the patterned diffuser emits light in a
substantially rectangular shape.
[0021] In some embodiments according to the present inventive
subject matter, the patterned diffuser emits light in a
substantially hexagonal shape.
[0022] In some embodiments according to the present inventive
subject matter, the lighting device comprises a plurality of solid
state lighting devices and a plurality of patterned diffusers. In
some such embodiments, (1) the plurality of patterned diffusers
comprises a plurality of patterned diffusers which emit light in a
substantially hexagonal shape, or (2) the plurality of patterned
diffusers comprises a plurality of patterned diffusers which emit
light in a substantially octagonal shape and a plurality of
patterned diffusers which emit light in a substantially square
shape.
[0023] In some embodiments according to the present inventive
subject matter, the lighting device comprises a plurality of
patterned diffusers having at least two different patterns, such
that the pattern of light emitted from the lighting device can
readily be changed.
[0024] In some embodiments according to the second aspect of the
present inventive subject matter, at least one patterned diffuser
is changed so that at least one pattern of emitted light is changed
to a different pattern.
[0025] The inventive subject matter may be more fully understood
with reference to the accompanying drawing and the following
detailed description of the inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE
[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a
lighting device according to the present inventive subject
matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION(S)
[0027] The present inventive subject matter now will be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which embodiments of the inventive subject matter are shown.
However, this inventive subject matter should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive
subject matter to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to
like elements throughout. As used herein the term "and/or" includes
any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the inventive subject matter. As used herein, the singular forms
"a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as
well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising,"
when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0029] When an element such as a layer, region or substrate is
referred to herein as being "on" or extending "onto" another
element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other
element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,
when an element is referred to herein as being "directly on" or
extending "directly onto" another element, there are no intervening
elements present. Also, when an element is referred to herein as
being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be
directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening
elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred
to herein as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to
another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0030] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers,
sections and/or parameters, these elements, components, regions,
layers, sections and/or parameters should not be limited by these
terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element,
component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or
section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the present inventive subject matter.
[0031] Furthermore, relative terms, such as "lower" or "bottom" and
"upper" or "top," may be used herein to describe one element's
relationship to another elements as illustrated in the FIGURE. Such
relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of
the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the FIGURE.
For example, if the device in the FIGURE is turned over, elements
described as being on the "lower" side of other elements would then
be oriented on "upper" sides of the other elements. The exemplary
term "lower", can therefore, encompass both an orientation of
"lower" and "upper," depending on the particular orientation of the
FIGURE. Similarly, if the device in the FIGURE is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements would
then be oriented "above" the other elements. The exemplary terms
"below" or "beneath" can, therefore, encompass both an orientation
of above and below.
[0032] The expression "illumination" (or "illuminated"), as used
herein when referring to a solid state light emitter, means that at
least some current is being supplied to the solid state light
emitter to cause the solid state light emitter to emit at least
some light. The expression "illuminated" encompasses situations
where the solid state light emitter emits light continuously or
intermittently at a rate such that a human eye would perceive it as
emitting light continuously, or where a plurality of solid state
light emitters of the same color or different colors are emitting
light intermittently and/or alternatingly (with or without overlap
in "on" times) in such a way that a human eye would perceive them
as emitting light continuously (and, in cases where different
colors are emitted, as a mixture of those colors).
[0033] The expression "excited", as used herein when referring to a
lumiphor, means that at least some electromagnetic radiation (e.g.,
visible light, UV light or infrared light) is contacting the
lumiphor, causing the lumiphor to emit at least some light. The
expression "excited" encompasses situations where the lumiphor
emits light continuously or intermittently at a rate such that a
human eye would perceive it as emitting light continuously, or
where a plurality of lumiphors of the same color or different
colors are emitting light intermittently and/or alternatingly (with
or without overlap in "on" times) in such a way that a human eye
would perceive them as emitting light continuously (and, in cases
where different colors are emitted, as a mixture of those
colors).
[0034] The expression "lighting device", as used herein, is not
limited, except that it indicates that the device is capable of
emitting light. That is, a lighting device can be a device which
illuminates an area or volume, e.g., a structure, a swimming pool
or spa, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a parking lot, a
vehicle, signage, e.g., road signs, a billboard, a ship, a toy, a
mirror, a vessel, an electronic device, a boat, an aircraft, a
stadium, a computer, a remote audio device, a remote video device,
a cell phone, a tree, a window, an LCD display, a cave, a tunnel, a
yard, a lamppost, or a device or array of devices that illuminate
an enclosure, or a device that is used for edge or back-lighting
(e.g., back light poster, signage, LCD displays), bulb replacements
(e.g., for replacing AC incandescent lights, low voltage lights,
fluorescent lights, etc.), lights used for outdoor lighting, lights
used for security lighting, lights used for exterior residential
lighting (wall mounts, post/column mounts), ceiling fixtures/wall
sconces, under cabinet lighting, lamps (floor and/or table and/or
desk), landscape lighting, track lighting, task lighting, specialty
lighting, ceiling fan lighting, archival/art display lighting, high
vibration/impact lighting--work lights, etc., mirrors/vanity
lighting, or any other light emitting device.
[0035] As used herein, the term "substantially," e.g., in the
expressions "substantially perpendicular", "substantially square",
"substantially rectangular", "substantially hexagonal",
"substantially octagonal", etc., means at least about 90%
correspondence with the feature recited, e.g., [0036] the
expression "substantially perpendicular", as used herein, means
that at least 90% of the points in the structure which is
characterized as being substantially perpendicular to a reference
plane or line are located on one of or between a pair of planes (1)
which are perpendicular to the reference plane, (2) which are
parallel to each other and (3) which are spaced from each other by
a distance of not more than 10% of the largest dimension of the
structure; [0037] the expression "substantially square" means that
a square shape can be identified, wherein at least 90% of the
points in the item which is characterized as being substantially
square fall within the square shape, and the square shape includes
at least 90% of the point in the item; [0038] the expression
"substantially rectangular" means that a rectangular shape can be
identified, wherein at least 90% of the points in the item which is
characterized as being substantially rectangular fall within the
rectangular shape, and the rectangular shape includes at least 90%
of the point in the item; [0039] the expression "substantially
hexagonal" means that a hexagonal shape can be identified, wherein
at least 90% of the points in the item which is characterized as
being substantially hexagonal fall within the hexagonal shape, and
the hexagonal shape includes at least 90% of the point in the item;
[0040] the expression "substantially octagonal" means that an
octagonal shape can be identified, wherein at least 90% of the
points in the item which is characterized as being substantially
octagonal fall within the octagonal shape, and the octagonal shape
includes at least 90% of the point in the item;
[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
inventive subject matter belongs. It will be further understood
that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries,
should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with
their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present
disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. It will also be
appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a
structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature
may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent
feature.
[0042] As noted above, according to the first aspect of the present
inventive subject matter, there are provided lighting devices
comprising at least a first solid state lighting device and at
least a first patterned diffuser.
[0043] Any desired solid state light emitter or emitters can be
employed in accordance with the present inventive subject matter.
Persons of skill in the art are aware of, and have ready access to,
a wide variety of such emitters. Such solid state light emitters
include inorganic and organic light emitters. Examples of types of
such light emitters include a wide variety of light emitting diodes
(inorganic or organic, including polymer light emitting diodes
(PLEDs)), laser diodes, thin film electroluminescent devices, light
emitting polymers (LEPs), a variety of each of which are well-known
in the art (and therefore it is not necessary to describe in detail
such devices, and/or the materials out of which such devices are
made).
[0044] Where more than one solid state light emitter is employed,
the respective light emitters can be similar to one another,
different from one another or any combination (i.e., there can be a
plurality of solid state light emitters of one type, or one or more
solid state light emitters of each of two or more types)
[0045] As indicated above, the lighting devices according to the
present inventive subject matter can comprise any desired number of
solid state emitters. For example, a lighting device according to
the present inventive subject matter can include one or more light
emitting diodes, 50 or more light emitting diodes, or 100 or more
light emitting diodes, etc.
[0046] In some embodiments according to the present inventive
subject matter, the lighting device further comprises at least one
lumiphor (i.e., luminescence region or luminescent element which
comprises at least one luminescent material which, when excited,
emits light). The expression "lumiphor", as used herein, refers to
any luminescent element, i.e., any element which includes a
luminescent material.
[0047] The one or more lumiphors, when provided, can individually
be any lumiphor, a wide variety of which are known to those skilled
in the art. For example, the one or more luminescent materials in
the lumiphor can be selected from among phosphors, scintillators,
day glow tapes, inks which glow in the visible spectrum upon
illumination with ultraviolet light, etc. The one or more
luminescent materials can be down-converting or up-converting, or
can include a combination of both types. For example, the first
lumiphor can comprise one or more down-converting luminescent
materials.
[0048] The (or each of the) one or more lumiphor(s) can, if
desired, further comprise (or consist essentially of, or consist
of) one or more highly transmissive (e.g., transparent or
substantially transparent, or somewhat diffuse) binder, e.g., made
of epoxy, silicone, glass, metal oxide or any other suitable
material (for example, in any given lumiphor comprising one or more
binder, one or more phosphor can be dispersed within the one or
more binder). In general, the thicker the lumiphor, the lower the
weight percentage of the phosphor can be. Representative examples
of the weight percentage of phosphor include from about 3.3 weight
percent up to about 20 weight percent, although, as indicated
above, depending on the overall thickness of the lumiphor, the
weight percentage of the phosphor could be generally any value,
e.g., from 0.1 weight percent to 100 weight percent (e.g., a
lumiphor formed by subjecting pure phosphor to a hot isostatic
pressing procedure).
[0049] Devices in which a lumiphor is provided can, if desired,
further comprise one or more clear encapsulant (comprising, e.g.,
one or more silicone materials) positioned between the solid state
light emitter (e.g., light emitting diode) and the lumiphor.
[0050] For example, light emitting diodes and lumiphors which may
be used in practicing the present inventive subject matter are
described in:
[0051] (1) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/753,138, filed on Dec.
22, 2005, entitled "Lighting Device" (inventor: Gerald H. Negley;
attorney docket number 931.sub.--003 PRO) and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/614,180, filed Dec. 21, 2006, the
entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0052] (2) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/794,379, filed on Apr.
24, 2006, entitled "Shifting Spectral Content in LEDs by Spatially
Separating Lumiphor Films" (inventors: Gerald H. Negley and Antony
Paul van de Ven; attorney docket number 931.sub.--006 PRO) and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/624,811, filed Jan. 19, 2007, the
entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0053] (3) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/808,702, filed on May 26,
2006, entitled "Lighting Device" (inventors: Gerald H. Negley and
Antony Paul van de Ven; attorney docket number 931.sub.--009 PRO)
and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/751,982, filed May 22,
2007, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by
reference;
[0054] (4) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/808,925, filed on May 26,
2006, entitled "Solid State Light Emitting Device and Method of
Making Same" (inventors: Gerald H. Negley and Neal Hunter; attorney
docket number 931.sub.--010 PRO) and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/753,103, filed May 24, 2007, the entireties of which are
hereby incorporated by reference;
[0055] (5) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/802,697, filed on May 23,
2006, entitled "Lighting Device and Method of Making" (inventor:
Gerald H. Negley; attorney docket number 931.sub.--011 PRO) and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/751,990, filed May 22, 2007,
the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0056] (6) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/839,453, filed on Aug.
23, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICE AND LIGHTING METHOD"
(inventors: Antony Paul van de Ven and Gerald H. Negley; attorney
docket number 931.sub.--034 PRO) and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/843,243, filed Aug. 22, 2007, the entireties of which are
hereby incorporated by reference;
[0057] (7) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/857,305, filed on Nov. 7,
2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICE AND LIGHTING METHOD" (inventors:
Antony Paul van de Ven and Gerald H. Negley; attorney docket number
931.sub.--027 PRO, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by
reference; and
[0058] (8) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/851,230, filed on Oct.
12, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME"
(inventor: Gerald H. Negley; attorney docket number 931.sub.--041
PRO, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0059] The lighting devices of the present inventive subject matter
can be arranged, mounted and supplied with electricity in any
desired manner, and can be mounted on any desired housing or
fixture. Skilled artisans are familiar with a wide variety of
arrangements, mounting schemes, power supplying apparatuses,
housings and fixtures, and any such arrangements, schemes,
apparatuses, housings and fixtures can be employed in connection
with the present inventive subject matter. The lighting devices of
the present inventive subject matter can be electrically connected
(or selectively connected) to any desired power source, persons of
skill in the art being familiar with a variety of such power
sources.
[0060] Representative examples of arrangements of sources of
visible light, mounting structures, schemes for mounting sources of
visible light, apparatus for supplying electricity to sources of
visible light, housings for sources of visible light, fixtures for
sources of visible light, power supplies for sources of visible
light and complete lighting assemblies, all of which are suitable
for the lighting devices of the present inventive subject matter,
are described in:
[0061] (1) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/752,753, filed on Dec.
21, 2005, entitled "Lighting Device" (inventors: Gerald H. Negley,
Antony Paul van de Ven and Neal Hunter; attorney docket no.
931.sub.--002 PRO) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/613,692,
filed Dec. 20, 2006, the entireties of which are hereby
incorporated by reference;
[0062] (2) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/798,446, filed on May 5,
2006, entitled "Lighting Device" (inventor: Antony Paul van de Ven;
attorney docket no. 931.sub.--008 PRO) and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/743,754, filed May 3, 2007, the entireties of which are
hereby incorporated by reference;
[0063] (3) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/845,429, filed on Sep.
18, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICES, LIGHTING ASSEMBLIES, FIXTURES
AND METHODS OF USING SAME" (inventor: Antony Paul van de Ven;
attorney docket no. 931.sub.--019 PRO), and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/856,421, filed Sep. 17, 2007, the entireties of which
are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0064] (4) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/846,222, filed on Sep.
21, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING ASSEMBLIES, METHODS OF INSTALLING
SAME, AND METHODS OF REPLACING LIGHTS" (inventors: Antony Paul van
de Ven and Gerald H. Negley; attorney docket no. 931.sub.--021
PRO), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/859,048, filed Sep.
21, 2007, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by
reference;
[0065] (5) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/809,618, filed on May 31,
2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF LIGHTING" (inventors:
Gerald H. Negley, Antony Paul van de Ven and Thomas G. Coleman;
attorney docket no. 931.sub.--017 PRO) and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/755,153, filed May 30, 2007, the entireties of which
are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0066] (6) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/858,558, filed on Nov.
13, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICE, ILLUMINATED ENCLOSURE AND
LIGHTING METHODS" (inventor: Gerald H. Negley; attorney docket no.
931.sub.--026 PRO), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0067] (7) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/858,881, filed on Nov.
14, 2006, entitled "LIGHT ENGINE ASSEMBLIES" (inventors: Paul
Kenneth Pickard and Gary David Trott; attorney docket number
931.sub.--036 PRO), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by
reference;
[0068] (8) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/859,013, filed on Nov.
14, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING ASSEMBLIES AND COMPONENTS FOR LIGHTING
ASSEMBLIES" (inventors: Gary David Trott and Paul Kenneth Pickard;
attorney docket number 931.sub.--037 PRO) and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/736,799, filed Apr. 18, 2007, the
entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference;
[0069] (9) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/853,589, filed on Oct.
23, 2006, entitled "LIGHTING DEVICES AND METHODS OF INSTALLING
LIGHT ENGINE HOUSINGS AND/OR TRIM ELEMENTS IN LIGHTING DEVICE
HOUSINGS" (inventors: Gary David Trott and Paul Kenneth Pickard;
attorney docket number 931.sub.--038 PRO), the entirety of which is
hereby incorporated by reference;
[0070] (10) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/861,901, filed on Nov.
30, 2006, entitled "LED DOWNLIGHT WITH ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT"
(inventors: Gary David Trott, Paul Kenneth Pickard and Ed Adams;
attorney docket number 931.sub.--044 PRO), the entirety of which is
hereby incorporated by reference; and
[0071] (11) U.S. Patent Application No. 60/916,384, filed on May 7,
2007, entitled "LIGHT FIXTURES, LIGHTING DEVICES, AND COMPONENTS
FOR THE SAME" (inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Gary David Trott
and Ed Adams; attorney docket number 931.sub.--055 PRO), the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0072] As noted above, according to a third aspect of the present
inventive subject matter, there is provided a lighting device,
comprising at least a first solid state lighting device; and at
least a first optical element.
[0073] Persons skilled in the art are familiar with, and have ready
access to, a wide variety of optical elements, any of which is
suitable for use in the lighting devices according to the present
inventive subject matter.
[0074] Embodiments in accordance with the present inventive subject
matter are described herein with reference to cross-sectional
(and/or plan view) illustrations that are schematic illustrations
of idealized embodiments of the present inventive subject matter.
As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a
result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,
are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the present inventive
subject matter should not be construed as limited to the particular
shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations
in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For
example, a molded region illustrated or described as a rectangle
will, typically, have rounded or curved features. Thus, the regions
illustrated in the FIGURE are schematic in nature and their shapes
are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a
device and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
inventive subject matter.
[0075] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a
lighting device according to the present inventive subject
matter.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a lighting device which
comprises plural solid state lighting devices 16a and 16b (LEDs in
this embodiment), a patterned diffuser 18, a heat spreading element
11, insulating regions 12, a highly reflective surface 13,
conductive traces 14 formed on a printed circuit board 28, a lead
frame 15 and a reflective cone 17. The LEDs 16a and 16b are
positioned relative to the patterned diffuser 18 such that if the
LEDs 16a and 16b are illuminated so that they emit light, at least
some of the light emitted by the LEDs 16a and 16b enters the
patterned diffuser 18 through a first surface 21 and exits the
patterned diffuser 18 through a second surface 22, the patterned
diffuser 18 comprising a plurality of optical features 23 formed on
the first surface 21.
[0077] Any two or more structural parts of the lighting devices
described herein can be integrated. Any structural part of the
lighting devices described herein can be provided in two or more
parts which are held together, if necessary. Similarly, any two or
more functions can be conducted simultaneously, and/or any function
can be conducted in a series of steps.
[0078] Furthermore, while certain embodiments of the present
inventive subject matter have been illustrated with reference to
specific combinations of elements, various other combinations may
also be provided without departing from the teachings of the
present inventive subject matter. Thus, the present inventive
subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the
particular exemplary embodiments described herein and illustrated
in the FIGURE, but may also encompass combinations of elements of
the various illustrated embodiments.
[0079] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those
having ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of the present
disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
inventive subject matter. Therefore, it must be understood that the
illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes
of example, and that it should not be taken as limiting the
inventive subject matter as defined by the following claims. The
following claims are, therefore, to be read to include not only the
combination of elements which are literally set forth but all
equivalent elements for performing substantially the same function
in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same
result. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, and also what incorporates the essential idea of the
inventive subject matter.
* * * * *